GRK 2027:  New Trends in Molecular Activation and Catalysis

• Subject Area: Molecular Chemistry
• Term: from 2014 to 2023
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 246264642

The activation and selective transformation of chemical compounds, particularly of molecules with a limited reactivity, still constitute major challenges in modern chemical research. Chemical science has meanwhile advanced to a stage, where collaborative efforts by researchers from different subdisciplines enable the development of new methods for the activation and transformation of less reactive substrates on the molecular level. Based on these developments ten groups from the University of Münster and nine groups from the University of Toronto have formed an interdisciplinary team to study such “New Trends in Molecular Activation and Catalysis”. The joint research program comprises studies of frustrated Lewis-pairs (FLPs), the use of new catalysts derived from transition-metal or main-group elements and investigations on new pathways for the activation of C−H, C−C and C−X bonds. Quantum-chemical calculations will accompany the whole research program and are directed towards a better understanding of the interactions of substrate molecules with selected activators, the persistence of substrate activator aggregates and selected reaction pathways. Apart from striving for excellence in scientific research, a major thrust of the program is directed towards the development and implementation of novel and innovative methods in graduate student training. A special focus will be placed on the internationalization of graduate student training. Doctoral students from Münster and from Toronto will be required to perform research on joint projects for six months in the laboratory of one of the foreign partners. Each doctoral student will have two research advisors, one from Münster and one from Toronto, who will together act as mentors for research and for writing of the doctoral thesis. From our experience in the first funding period we have learned that doctoral students benefit tremendously from the international experience and from receiving graduate education from leading academic institutions in two countries, while the time needed for graduation does not increase. The internationalized training combined with the acquisition of additional soft skills such as the ability to communicate in a foreign language and to efficiently interact in a foreign laboratory are key qualifications required in a globalized industrial world and will give the IRTG graduates a distinct advantage in their ability to compete successfully in the national and international job market.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: Canada
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Partner Organisation: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• IRTG-Partner Institution: University of Toronto
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. F. Ekkehardt Hahn
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Douglas W. Stephan, Ph.D.
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Fabian Dielmann; Professor Dr. Gerhard Erker; Professorin Dr. Olga Garcia Mancheno; Professor Dr. Frank Glorius; Dr. Felicitas Lips, since 10/2017; Professor Dr. Jens Müller; Professor Dr. Johannes Neugebauer; Professorin Dr. Andrea Rentmeister; Professorin Dr. Monika Schönhoff; Professor Dr. Armido Studer; Professor Dr. Werner Uhl